Further Research Into The Phytochemicals Contained In Licorice Root Might Yield A Treatment For The New Coronavirus Strain In China

Source: Thailand Medical News Jan 26, 2020 4 months ago

Since the outbreak of SARS in 2002, there was initially numerous studies and research done to find a cure for the SARS Coronavirus. Most of the research at that time was initiated by researchers from China and also Hong Kong and subsequently as a result of certain breakthroughs; additional research was carried out in countries in Europe and the US.

Unfortunately, the enthusiasm for most of the research died down in 2012 just before the emergence of the MERs virus as most researcher felt that the SARS would not emerge again. When the MERS virus did come, the focus was not on a treatment but rather on a vaccine.

Jakkapong Watcharachaijunta, a Thai medical and pharma marketing specialists and owner of more than 200 medical and health online portals and an avid medical researcher himself with a degree in Biomedical Science told Thailand Medical News via a media press release, “ One of the significant antiviral candidates under study during period immediately after SARS was the Licorice Root or the root of the plant called Glycyrrhiza glabra. It’s native to Europe and Asia. The plant is actually classified as a weed in those areas.”

Licorice Root

He added, “The Licorice root has been used for ages in ancient Egyptian medicine and also in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and also in traditional Chinese medicine. Licorice root had already been known for its antiviral properties but researchers noticed that during the SARS outbreak that certain groups of people drinking concoctions of traditional Chinese medicine that contained it during the SARS outbreak did not get infected with the virus despite having been exposed to it by having relatives in the same household who were infected. It was this that triggered the initial research.”

“Since then, there were more than 83 published researched papers showing the effectiveness of various phytochemicals contained in Licorice Roots against the then SARS virus. Unfortunately many of that research had only begun during the Post-SARS period and the interests died down in about 2012. It would be great if research entities and also pharma companies around the world picked up on those research and started conducting more detailed research fast with regards to the new coronavirus strain called 2019-nCoVor the commonly referred to as the ‘Wuhan Virus’. Considering that a recent gene sequencing exercise in Hong Kong showed that it had a 84 per cent similarity to the SARS virus, it might be an excellent candidate for research into a possible treatment protocol for the new virus that is causing an epidemic in China,” he said.

Mr Jakkapong Watcharachaijunta

While research teams are delving more into the details of the new coronavirus strain and others are busy searching for a vaccine, maybe others could focus on developing a treatment protocol.

The licorice root contain a variety of phytochemicals such as flavonoids like Glycyrrhizin, Liquiritigenin, and Glabridin that also had antiviral activity against the SARS coronavirus . But it’s the the class of phytochemicals called triterpenoids also found in licorice root especially glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid that were found to be extremely potent against the SARS coronavirus. There are more than 83 published studies in reputable medical journals to show the effectiveness of these phytochemicals against the SARS coronavirus.

Mr Watcharachaijunta added, “ Though the new 2019-nCov virus is a different strain, it is very close to the SARS coronavirus genetically wise and maybe this should be an interesting starting point. Though I am but a small entrepreneur, I am willing to donate a small amount to any entity preferably in Thailand who is willing to start this research as soon as possible and also willing to help them in their fund raising project if needed to finance this research. There many excellent researchers in Thailand and also medical research institutions and perhaps collaborating with international entities and also pharma giants could be a way to move this forward and fast.

Mr Watcharachaijunta who is also the owner of www.Thailandmedical.news warned however that the purpose of this article is not for individuals to rush out and start buying licorice root supplements or products and start using them as there is yet any research to show its effectiveness against the new virus strain. Furthermore there are also a variety of adverse side effects associated with licorice root supplementation and it can be dangerous and even fatal for those with underlying chronic diseases.

Some of the effects of licorice root supplementation includes:

Absence of a menstrual period

Congestive heart failure

Decreased sexual interest (libido)

Erectile dysfunction

Excess fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)

Fluid and sodium retention

Headache

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Hypertensive encephalopathy

Hypokalemic myopathy

Lethargy

Low potassium levels (hypokalemia)

Mineralocorticoid effects

Muscle wasting

Myoglobinuria

Occasionally brain damage in otherwise healthy people

Paralysis (quadriplegia)

Swelling (edema)

Tiredness

Weakness

No one should start on Licorice root supplementation without consulting a doctor.

Furthermore, many supplement and herbal product commercial brands often sell fake or inferior products and some might try to exploit the current situation to make profits.

Anyone making claims of any products that can prevent, treat and cure the current 2019-nCoV virus should be reported to the FDA or police for making false claims.

Thailand Medical News recommends that till confirmed treatment protocols are discovered and a vaccine developed, all individuals should practice the standard precautions of wearing a face mask, washing and sanitizing hands often, maintaining hygiene and staying away from those infected. Also to maintain one’s immunity, eat well and eat healthy foods, rest and sleep well, and exercise.

We also hope that some entities will respond with the calls for further research in to licorice root as an antiviral treatmentprotocol for the new virus.

References of some past studies (there are tons more in various research and medical journals):

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